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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (WUSA) -- Fire investigators in Falls Church are still trying to figure out what caused a house on the 3100 block of Manor Rd. to go up in flames killing a mother and daughter early Wednesday morning.

While investigators are looking for answers, those who knew Laura Gardner, and her teen daughter Mary Ann Gardner are left mourning their loss.

Amit Rupani, a close friend of the family said, "Laura was an amazing professor and mentor."

Both mother and daughter had been at Rupani's wedding just last year. He and his wife Grace tell WUSA9 they spent a lot of time together.

Grace Rupani said, "They should be remembered as people who cared about other people. They were beautiful from the inside out."

The Gardnerss were huge animal lovers. Unfortunately, their two beloved dogs and eight cats also died in the fire.